"Heh…"
Aether merely chuckled at Tang San's threat.
From Dai Mubai's use of a soul skill to Tang San's mention of Shrek Academy, fragments of memory surfaced in his mind.
Back when he lived on Earth, he had read a novel about a world called Douluo Continent.
Shrek Academy, Martial Souls, soul skills—if he remembered correctly, they were all from that novel.
The former was the protagonist's school, and the latter two were its cultivation system and abilities.
Judging by the reactions of the group in front of him, Aether had already pieced together who they were.
The one now standing before him, threatening him, should be the protagonist of that very novel—the Child of the Plane, Tang San.
These fragments of memory had long since been buried under the weight of countless years. He and Lumine had traveled across so many realms, so many timelines, that this bit of recollection was practically negligible.
But he had clearly entered an unmarked void in Teyvat…
So how had he and Paimon ended up here?
"Teacher Zhao, are you alright? Can you walk?"
As Aether stood in thought, Tang San mistook his silence for hesitation and slowly backed away toward Oscar and the injured Zhao Wuji, whispering.
"Little Ao(Oscar) already fed me a few sausages. The bleeding's stopped, but I'm in no shape to fight."
Zhao Wuji tried to sound casual, but his pale face betrayed him.
Aside from his arms being severed, the clash with Aether had left him with severe internal injuries. He couldn't even muster a shred of soul power.
Still, he pretended to be alright—he didn't want the students to abandon him.
"Don't worry, Teacher Zhao. Whoever hurt you and Xiao Wu for no reason, I will make them pay!"
Tang San's brows furrowed tightly.
Tang Sect Rule #8: Once an enemy is confirmed, their death is certain!
But right now, the enemy even Zhao Wuji couldn't stand against… he had no choice but to bide his time.
Someday, when he had cultivated enough, he would make Aether pay back this humiliation—with interest!
Messing with Tang San means hitting an iron wall!
"Let's get out of here before he makes another move!"
Zhao Wuji spotted Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Xiao Wu stumbling out from the forest and hurriedly urged them on.
That mysterious youth could kill them at any moment—he didn't want to linger a second longer.
"Yes, let's go." Tang San nodded quickly and gave orders.
"Little Ao, Rong Rong—support Teacher Zhao. I'll carry Xiao Wu."
He wasn't running out of cowardice. He was preserving strength for revenge. Once he grew stronger, today's shame would be repaid a hundredfold.
"I don't recall giving you permission to leave."
Aether snapped out of his thoughts.
He saw the group whispering and planning their escape. He'd already punished two of them. As for the others, he didn't care.
People like Zhao Wuji—overconfident without the strength to back it up—weren't worth remembering.
But Tang San?
The one who dared lay hands on Paimon?
That had to be settled.
He had never feared the so-called gods—what was one undeveloped Child of the Plane to him?
"…What more do you want?"
Tang San froze in place, just about to lift Xiao Wu, when Aether's voice stopped him cold.
He glared back in fury.
But the response wasn't words—it was a sword.
Aether raised his hand, and a longsword pierced through the air toward Tang San's hands.
Tang San was too stunned to react.
Is this it? Am I going to die here today?
Regret flooded him.
I should've run while he was distracted… These people behind me? I've only known them for a few days.
Even Xiao Wu… she's just someone I have a crush on.
Why risk my life for them?
I could've just come back for revenge once I became a Title Douluo…
In this moment, Tang San's mind wasn't focused on defense, but on blaming the others for dragging him down.
Crushed by the fear of death, he couldn't muster a shred of resistance against Aether's overwhelming aura.
CLANG—!
Just as the sword was about to sever his hands, a ragged figure appeared before him.
With a massive iron hammer, the figure blocked Aether's sword.
Nine soul rings gleamed around him.
Raising his hammer high, he struck at Aether with all his might.
BOOM!
The impact shook the air, and both combatants were forced back.
"Hm?"
So the Child of the Plane really is protected by the will of this world?
Aether studied the new arrival, thoughtful.
First the junior, now the elder?
Recognition slowly formed in his mind.
"Traveler, are you okay?"
Paimon flew to Aether's side, clearly worried.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
He had forgotten that someone had always been secretly watching over Tang San—his father, Tang Hao.
Because of that, he hadn't used his full strength. Otherwise, Tang Hao wouldn't have been able to block that attack.
"Thank you, senior, for saving my life!"
Tang San beamed with gratitude toward his savior.
Then his eyes were drawn to the nine soul rings—especially the outermost crimson one.
"A Title Douluo… a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
He was shaken to the core.
Not only had he narrowly escaped death, but he was saved by someone standing at the absolute peak of the soul master world!
And now, perhaps he could also take revenge!
A strange glint appeared in Tang San's eyes.
I really am a man of great destiny. Every crisis I encounter, I overcome…
And this time, my savior is a legendary Title Douluo!
How could I possibly lose?
There probably aren't even ten Title Douluos on the entire continent…
And that weapon—wasn't it the Clear Sky Hammer, his second martial soul?
Could this man be related to me?
With that thought, Tang San asked tentatively, "Clear Sky Hammer? Might I ask, Senior, are you…?"
"Leave."
A hoarse voice responded. The man gripped the hammer tightly, eyes locked on Aether.
The youth before him exuded a danger he hadn't felt even during his battles with multiple Title Douluos from Spirit Hall.
His Instincts screamed—he wasn't this boy's match.
"Senior, my teacher is Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang. This man injured my teacher and my friends for no reason. Please, help me get justice!"
Tang San didn't mind the lack of response.
Since they shared the same martial soul, surely they were deeply connected.
Now was the time to cling tightly to this thigh of support.
He even brought up his teacher for leverage.
In his heart, his teacher was the great creator of the ten core principles of soul masters. Any soul master across the continent would show respect.
With the shared martial soul and being the Grandmaster's disciple, Tang San hoped this Title Douluo would capture Aether for him.
Then, he'd show him—power alone didn't rule the world.
So what if you could crush a Soul Sage?
Could you defeat a Title Douluo?
Tang Sect was known for hidden weapons—and poison.
Once I get my hands on you, I'll show you what real suffering is!
And that weird floating creature beside you? It'll suffer a fate worse than death!
In his mind, Tang San already pictured it:
This boy, despite his strength, kneeling before him—a mere rank 32 Soul Elder—begging for mercy.